Steve Schmidt '72 Appointed COO of Summa Foundation

October 10, 2011

October 10, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — Steven P. Schmidt, a 1972 DePauw University graduate who has served as the interim leader of the Summa Foundation since October 2010, has been appointed the Foundation's chief operating officer. Dr. Schmidt is also the vice president of clinical research and innovation for Summa Health System. In his role with the Summa Foundation, he will "lead efforts in community benefit and diversity, government relations and health policy, and research," notes an item in Ohio's Hudson Hub Times.

"Steve has done a tremendous job as interim leader of the Summa Foundation throughout the past several months," says Thomas J. Strauss, president and CEO of Summa Health System. "With his background in research, his deep understanding of community benefit and health policy, and his knowledge of the greater Akron community, he is the best person to serve as chief operating officer of the Summa Foundation and help move our System's priorities forward."

The newspaper notes, "Schmidt was previously director of Summa's division of surgical research since 1982 and remains engaged in conducting original research. He was formerly an adjunct faculty member at the Northeast Ohio Medical University and is a member of the NEOMED board of trustees."

It adds, "Schmidt received his bachelor's and master's degrees from DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., and was awarded a Ph.D. in biology and physiology from Idaho State University. He has served many Akron community organizations including as trustee and president of the board of trustees of the Akron Area YMCA and as trustee and president of the board of trustees of Weathervane Community Playhouse."